Mentors function in the dog fancy by helping new breeders create a breeding program with a goal of improving the breed population as a whole. From a  psychosocial point of view, good mentors help protégés develop an identity within the breed community and foster their development of professionalism and ethics. Breed mentor should have 10 years of successful breeding experience, have a knowledge of their breed as well as genetic and anatomy principles, and should place a priority on breeding healthy dogs. Mentors, ideally, should act as role models and set an example of good sportsmanship, honesty, and sound breeding practices. In addition to counseling and problem-solving, many mentors provide friendship. Kram notes that a mentor may fill all or only some of these roles.

 

A breed mentor's function will depend on an individual's skill level. If he/she is a novice, and may be willing to teach everything there is to know from breeding to showing. Some breeders come into a breed with an animal experience and a knowledge of genetics. In such cases, mentors take on less of a teaching role in these areas and instead may provide guidance relative to bloodlines, kennel histories and breeder relationships, which make up the psychosocial landscape that is found in every national and local breed community. Many mentors prove to be lifelong friends and supporters. Mentor relationships in the dog world can resemble marriages and it is important to work with someone with whom you're emotionally and philosophically compatible. The following are some suggestions to assist you in choosing a mentor.

 

Qualities of a Mentor

 

• Consistent level of success in dogs. With some exceptions, most mentors should have at least 10 years of experience in their breed

 

• Honesty about health defects in the breed as a whole, and in their own line, along with a knowledge of how to control genetic disease.

 

• Good reputation. A mentor is respected by others. He/she displays good sportsmanship and maintains good relationships with others in the dog fancy.

 

• Lack of kennel blindness. A mentor should be objective about good and bad points in his/her own dogs and applaud the virtues in other peoples dogs.

 

• Knowledge of genetics, anatomy, and the breed standard. This background helps form the foundation of a consistent breeding program.

 

“Beware of hitching your star to the wagon of the first person in the breed with whom you become associated. It may or may not be the right choice.”